High Notes, Vol 14 No 31, October 11 2013

From the Principal

Welcome BackWelcome back to staff, students, parents and Old Boy coaches
and all volunteers. Term 4 is always an enjoyable one as the stress of Year 12 HSC exams
gradually passes. There seems to be more time to get reports and marking done and programs for
the new year written. Also, we have daylight saving to lengthen our leisure time. Some summer
sports competitions start this Saturday.

High TalentWell done to our International Competitions and Assessments for
schools (ICAS) medal winners: Shang Lin (Year 8) - Computer Skills; James Goh and Vishal
Karnamadakala (Year 9) - Writing; and Kevin Liang (Year 10) - Writing. It was great work by
Nicolas Ooi to qualify for a Duke of Edinburgh gold award. At the CHSSA Schoolboys Shield
Tournament, High teams filled all places – a wonderful effort! Glanden Zheng and
Lenny Han (gold), Eddy Belokopytov and Edward Koo (silver) and Barry Wu and Vincent Bui (bronze).
Congratulations to all concerned on this dominant performance.

Foundation Day 2013At our 130th Foundation Day assembly., Bob Dalziel
spoke about leadership in terms of vision, follow through with timing, knowing when to act and
not act and staying consistent in your goals. He gave good advice from his experience in the
corporate world about how to keep objectives simple and to focus. My address to the assembly is
reprinted below.

Special guest Bob Dalziel (SHS 1963), staff, students, parents and Prefect Interns for 2013-14,
welcome to our annual Foundation Day Assembly. This assembly marks an important milestone
in our school’s history. As well it serves as a rite of passage for our student
leaders.

"Fifty years ago the big event at High was the construction and dedication of the Killip Wing on
October 4 by E. Wetherell, Minister for Education. In attendance were: Gough Whitlam, Dr Harold
Wyndham, Director-General of Education, and former Headmaster James Killip (1936-51) in whose
honour the building was named. In his dedication address, Dr Wyndham praised Killip for his
‘devotion to the art of teaching’ and for his high personal standards. He declared
that of all the people who had influenced him, none had as much as Killip. This was high praise
from the architect of the NSW secondary education system - ‘the Wyndham Scheme’ which
lasted from 1966 to 2000. Wyndham unveiled the portrait of Killip by Judy Cassab which now hangs
in the staircase of the main building.

"In 1963, the Headmaster Ken Andrews, retired after 9 years of service in the role. His
association with the school spanned thirty-two years. In his farewell message, he commented on
‘the powerful influence which history and tradition exerted in the school’. He
believed that these traditions were forged by the ‘standards and achievements of the
many’. The standards he singled out were related to scholarship, sportsmanship and personal
integrity. He urged all boys to contribute to the continuance of these standards by good conduct,
high achievements and loyal service. Much of what he said 50 years ago resonates strongly
with the High values and standards of today’s students.

"During Andrews’ term of office, the school canteen was established and operated by the
Ladies Auxiliary; extensions and improvements were made to the Fairland Pavilion and McKay
Playing Fields; the rowing sheds were improved and the Killip Wing completed. In recent years
these same assets have undergone refurbishment and improvement. Andrews was known as a
‘firm and just administrator’, giving praise, encouragement and home truths as
appropriate to the boys.

"In 1963 the renowned programmer and textbook writer, Frank Allsop, retired as Head of English as
did Alex Mitchell who served at High for twenty years. The big news of 1963 was High’s
victory in the GPS rugby premiership. In 1946, high shared the premiership with St
Joseph’s and the second XV were co-premiers with Shore in 1947. In 1963, natural talent,
good luck and fine weather were hailed as the reasons for High’s success. They had the
benefit of a tour in May where they played three preseason games in Canberra, Wagga Wagga and
Melbourne. Even then, the great team had a draw against Riverview and a close loss against
Newington. With future internationals Phil Smith and John Brass in the centres and two quick
wingers in Clooney and Monson, the team tried to play open, running rugby.

"As well as celebrating our Foundation and our ideals at this assembly, we honour our Prefect
Interns who have been elected from the four electoral colleges: 2013 Prefects, Year 11 students,
Year 10 students and staff. Headmasters at High have been inducting Prefects since 1910,
when the first Senior Prefect, later Sir Charles MacDonald, was appointed by John Waterhouse.
McDonald Wing is named after our first Senior Prefect. Our system is different these days
in that Prefects have pre-qualification requirements. They also have to be elected. Then, the
successful candidates, who will be given their badges today, have to serve three terms of
successful Internship prior to being formally invested next year in term three.

"Our Prefect leaders need to appreciate that when they take an oath of office that they are
giving a serious undertaking to serve the school and its staff and students. They are following
in the footsteps of students who have contributed a great deal to the tradition and reputation of
the school as a place of scholarship, sportsmanship and fellowship. Taking the oath should
inspire boys to dedicate themselves to augment the reputation of high by their actions in office.

"Reflect on a saying attributed to Buddha: What you are is what you have been. What you’ll
be is what you do know. Think of the promise you are making, think of the actions you need to
take to fulfil that pledge. In the weeks and months ahead become a deserving school leader by
what you do now. Don’t relax or rely on what you have been.

"Let us all contemplate what has always been and what should always be the foundation of our
school – the pursuit of excellence in scholarship, sportsmanship and fellowship. I
congratulate the School Prefects on their qualification for the ballot and successful election. I
wish them the best of luck in carrying out their roles. Try to emulate the ‘standards and
achievements of the many’ and make us proud of you."

Summer Sports AssemblyHighly talent Australian fast bowler Patrick Cummins
was the guest at our Summer Sports Assembly this week. He spoke about his love of sports and
having a ‘crack’ at lots of them all the way through school. He described how
competing against two older brothers in the backyard honed his skills and made him fiercely
competitive. He stressed the necessity of balance in life and models it by mixing an
international cricket career with studying for a Bachelor of Business at UTS. My address to the
assembly is reprinted below:

"Special guest Patrick Cummins, coaches, staff, GPS sports teams, parents and students –
welcome to the 2013 October Summer Sports Assembly. Today we carry on the tradition of honouring
and introducing those teams who are commencing their GPS competitions in term 4. This year
basketball, cricket and water polo are our featured teams.

"Water Polo has stepped up the intensity of its training and competition play this year. Under
the exuberant leadership of MIC Rhiannon Davis, the depth of the program has increased. The
results at CHS Knockout level improved this year, with the gap between us and benchmark schools
like Kirrawee, narrowing. Thank you to our coach Lachlan Hollis who did such a good job with our
boys. He will be missed. With improved access to training facilities, increased frequency of
training sessions and more players, water polo is developing well.

"The cricket program is suffering from a lack of in-school teacher leadership. It is very hard to
sustain strong lines of communication, organisation and recruitment without a teacher MIC. I want
to thank Siva Valliapan for his work as MIC last season. Also, I want to acknowledge the
dedication and enthusiasm shown by Tim Roslin in his time as First Grade Coach. Hugo Richards has
done a great job trying to hold the program together as MIC while coaching a team. However, High
cricket urgently needs to go back to basics. We need a stronger organisation with more teachers
and parents involved. We need to recruit and supervise more coaches and train more team managers.
We have talented cricketers in the school. We should make sure they want to play cricket. The
competition format is interesting and varied. The financial resources are available. It is
imperative now to rebuild a cricketing culture that grows its self-belief. I call upon members of
staff to provide the lead in this revival. Cricket is our national game. Let’s get better
at playing it!

"High basketball is in a rebuilding phase. Winning the second grade premiership earlier
this year was a terrific accomplishment, indicating our depth as a basketball school. Despite not
being able to emulate recent years with successes at CHS Knockout and GPS competitions, first
grade has started the preseason in fine style in the Sydney Shootout Competition winning their
first four games and qualifying for the curtain raiser final against Scots before a Sydney Kings
game. The program is about supplying quality coaching in depth to build skills and self-belief.
Our young players join in the culture characterised by dedication in defence and focus in attack.
We believe in ourselves, each other, our leadership and in our program.

"I want to congratulate Ben Hayman for his consistent commitment over many years as Coaching
Coordinator, MIC and First Grade Coach. The High basketball culture owes a great deal to his
drive and dedication. Alex Hayman has shown he has the ability to get the most out of individual
players as Second Grade Coach and Junior Development Coordinator. He has helped consolidate our
skill base. The Basketball Committee provides great input into the program through financial
management, running the Saturday kiosk, supporting functions and marketing the program. Paul Hoad
has been a terrific Treasurer. Bruce Gordon continues to give a great deal of his time supporting
the teams at game time with strapping and first aid. He is a stalwart of High basketball. George
Krastev shows his wonderful commitment to basketball and High. Wayne Baldock continues to give a
great deal to the program as do Darren McQuillan and Angie Ward. Thank you to all concerned.

"To win at sport you need tenacity. Perseverance grows from optimism. In psychology, cognitive
therapists teach people how to be more optimistic. Martin Seligman, the father of the positive
psychology movement, published Learned Optimism in 1990. It was followed by Optimistic Child in
1995. These texts explained his message that optimistic thinking is an important ingredient in
success. Encouragement, enthusiasm and enjoyment are cornerstones of optimism. Seligman and his
associates tested successful people for their optimism. They found that champions manage to give
optimistic explanations for negative events. Optimism fuels resilience. Resilience supports
perseverance. Champions persevere more than their opponents. They gain strength to persevere from
their optimistic approach. To be more optimistic you need to suppress automatic negative
thoughts. Focus on rational alternative thoughts that can lead you towards more frequent
optimistic explanations for negative events. We can all train ourselves to become more
optimistic.

"Who is responsible for the problem? Champions see the external causes when things go wrong, as
well as accurately seeing their own mistakes. They put their own performance in its proper
perspective. Optimists maintain a healthy balance between excusing and blaming themselves. How
long-lasting is the problem? Is it some of the time? Optimists are realistic when they
assess how long lasting a problem is. How big is the cause of the problem? Optimists can attack
their problems because they quickly pinpoint specific goals. The message is not to be overwhelmed
by the challenges that you face.

"In all our sports we can be more successful if we use the lessons of positive psychology and
become more optimistic in our thinking. Congratulations to all boys selected in GPS competition
teams. Good luck for the season. "Dr K A Jaggar

From the Office

Applying for Early Leave

If your son needs to leave early he is required to bring an early leave note. This note must be
signed by either Mr Barris, Mr Dowdell or Mr Prorellis before 8:55 am and handed
in to the Main Office immediately after. Each letter should be signed by a parent or guardian
with the name, date and roll class of your son
printed clearly. Your son needs to pick up a leave pass from the Main Office
before he leaves the school.

Applying for Leave

Cash Register Opening Times

Due to the change of bell times the cash register will be closed at 2.00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays
& Fridays. Before school and first break register times (be it recess or lunch) remain
the same on these days.

There are now 2 cash registers open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday. The second
register is located opposite the Deputy’s Office (Mr Barris).Sharon Kearns
School Administrative Manager

Sydney High School Cadet Unit

Annual Field Exercise

During the first week of the September Holidays, Sydney High School Cadet Unit once again
participated in the Annual Field Exercise (AFX), at Singleton Military Area. The Annual Field
Exercise is a statewide camp, where army cadets from across New South Wales converge on the
Singleton Military Area for a week of field training in the bush.

Sydney High School Cadet Unit, along with 21 ACU Penrith formed Charlie Company - one of four
companies in 23 AAC Battalion. In the company, CUO Nelson Tang was appointed Administration
Officer, WO2 Tom Du was Company Sergeant Major, CPL Damian Duong was Platoon Commander, CPL Kevin
Andrew was Platoon Sergeant, and Section Commanders were CPLs Benjamin Ling, Aidan Chow, Ethan
May and Victor Oh.

The Cadet NCOs led the cadets of Charlie Company in the weeklong Battalion competition against
other Companies. Through the week, companies were assessed on their levels of morale, discipline,
teamwork and initiative, in conjunction with level of training and activities.p>

This year’s exercise was themed upon ‘Saving Private Ryan’, and involved the
gathering of intelligence from other companies. All cadets were assigned an exercise ID card,
with an ID number, company, and special role, such as digger, medic, radio operator or engineer,
and were encouraged to gather as much information and ID details of cadets from the other three
companies, with this information then compiled in an intelligence report.

UpUpon arrival at Singleton, cadets had ‘hit the ground running’, quickly securing an
area of bushland and setting up the company lines to establish a temporary base suitable for the
7-day occupation. In the following days, cadets lived in the field, and participated in a range
of activities encompassing teambuilding, navigation, day and night patrolling and military
skills.

Highlights included a visit to the School of Infantry, as well as shooting WTTS – a
simulated shooting range with air compressed F88 Austeyrs. Cadets were also able to observe 2
Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles and use NINOX Night vision equipment.

The combined efforts, teamwork and leadership from cadets of Sydney High and 21 ACU Penrith saw
our company winning the 23 Battalion AFX Trophy at the end of the week. This marked the second
year in a row for the Sydney High School Cadet Unit to win the 23 Battalion AFX Trophy.

AFX 2013 had been a success for the unit, as an invaluable learning experience for all cadets.
For many new recruits, the experience of living in the bush for a week had proven to be both fun
and rewarding. For more senior cadets and NCOs, the camp had built upon existing knowledge,
furthering their leadership skills. Altogether, all cadets gained skills and forged friendships
that will likely last them well beyond their cadet careers.Tom Du
Cadet Company Commander

Enrolment Now Open

Enrolment for Cadets is now open until the end of October. All interested
students wishing to join cadets at Sydney High are encouraged to go to the Orderly Room (Blue and
brown door, next to the High Store) after school on Tuesday afternoon.

For more information, look out for announcements in the Daily Notices for upcoming recruitment
meetings, or ask any senior cadet or NCO (cadet with rank). Cadets is held every Tuesday
afternoon after school until 5:30pm.

To join the Australian Army Cadet Unit at SHS, you must meet the following criteria:

You must be a student in Years 7-12 at Sydney High School

You must be a citizen or permanent resident in Australia

Be able to attend all unit activities

All High boys that meet the above criteria wishing to participate in Cadets are invited to join.

High Water Polo

Over the course of two seasons, Water Polo at Sydney High has grown significantly, proving
ourselves after making the 4th round of the CHS competition for the second year in a row over
Sydney Tech for First grade,. Playing through the tournament to come, we placed second in the
round robin over strong teams such as Caringbah, and Endeavour, before losing to National
Champions Kirrawee.

Due to our successes in the past season, Water Polo at High has expanded extensively, with the
creation of a total of four full teams for the 2013-2014 season. Through vigorous pre-season
training, and selection trials in the holidays under the supervision of Max Chien and MIC Ms
Davis, Water Polo at High has strengthened significantly.

The 14s, coached by Ms. Davis, and 16s, coached by Darren Chien, contain a mixture of new and
seasoned players, and both should be competitive for the upcoming season. For the first time,
High has both a Second Grade and First Grade team in the newly expanded Opens competition. Led by
Jonathan Chew as captain, and coach Shaun Pak, we look forward to the contribution of the Second
Grade team to Water Polo in the future. First Grade, coached by Paul Kerrison, are stronger than
ever, and are looking forward to a great season.

Big thanks to all coaches, and to Mr Codey for training the junior squad on
Thursdays. Michael Fung
Captain, 1st Grade Water Polo

SHS Rowing Committee

INFORMATION MORNING for PARENTS

Saturday 12 October 2013

at High Rowing Sheds, Abbotsford

Junior Rowing Parents 8.00 – 9.00am

Year 10 Eights Parents 10.00 – 11.30am

Parents … this is a very important meeting to attend so you know what is
happening during the rowing season.

MORNING TEA AND COFFEE PROVIDED

Highlights Include:

The season calendar with important dates and camps identified

The weekly rowing schedule

Outline of what’s expected of the boys and how parents can contribute

Study/tuition sessions at camps

Outline of camp duties for Y10 Eights parents

Who’s who? Meet the MIC, Coaches, Old Boys and Committee

High Family

The Bulletin Board for Sydney Boys High P & C.

If you would like to have any parent community news or upcoming events included in High Society,
please contact Ian Sweeting P&C President
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Changed P&C General Meeting Start Time

The next P&C General meeting will be held at the new start time of 6:30pm on

Monday 14th October
Staff Common Room

Based on discussion and feedback at the previous two general meetings, the P&C has decided to
move the P&C general meetings forward from 7:30pm to 6:30pm to provide an earlier finish for
attendees.

This will be the start time for all P&C general meetings unless noted otherwise.

The school calendar will be updated to show the new start times.

Please contact the P&C at
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if
you have any questions regarding this change.

Thank you

Learner Driver Workshop

Young drivers are three times more likely to be involved in casualty crashes. That's why the
Roads and Maritime Services has introduced a new licensing scheme, with more supervised driving
practice for learner drivers.

To help parents in supervising learner drivers, the Roads and Maritime Services has set up a FREE
2 hour workshop for parents that offers practical advice on how to help learner drivers become
safer drivers.

A FREE parents' workshop will be conducted by David Riches and hosted by Woollahra Council on
Thursday November 7th at Woollahra Council Chambers (536 New South Head Road, Double Bay) from 6
pm – 8 pm.

Early bookings are essential, by phoning Woollahra Council on 9391 7112 now to reserve your
place, or email
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